We recently heard about the delay for Batman vs. Superman AKA Man of Steel 2 which, despite experiences with other films, I believed to be a constructive decision for the film. Before that, there was an uproar about Ben Affleck as Batman, which has since fizzled out and even had some of the naysayers change their minds and give him a chance. With the latest news, we find that Lex Luthor has been cast. It looks like they didn’t pick another fan favorite (Bryan Cranston) and instead threw us another curveball with their selection of Jesse Eisenberg.
He’s a complicated and sophisticated character whose intellect, wealth and prominence position him as one of the few mortals able to challenge the incredible might of Superman. Having Jesse in the role allows us to explore that interesting dynamic, and also take the character in some new and unexpected directions.
I’ve been thinking about this all day and at the moment I just can’t digest Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. It could be his youthful, frail appearance or maybe that he’s been typecast in so many roles, but I can’t see him fitting into the Lex Luthor that I envision. In my opinion, Luthor should be a smart, brooding individual that has the persona of a politician or corporate executive. Hell, even Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville) seems like a better fit than Eisenberg right now! Jesse Eisenberg can play smart and devious but he’s not taking on the Winklevoss twins for Facebook this time, he’s taking on arguably the most powerful superhero in comic book history.
The other casting announcement is a lot easier to take in. Jeremy Irons will be taking on the role of Alfred, the butler of Bruce Wayne (AKA Batman). I can see Irons as Alfred but more of the battle worn version with his signature shotgun. I don’t think this is an exciting choice, nor do I think it is a bad one, I think it’s a role that can fit.
It is an honor to have such an amazingly seasoned and gifted actor as Jeremy taking on the important role of the man who mentors and guides the guarded and nearly impervious façade that encapsulates Bruce Wayne. — Snyder
For now, let’s give some time for the dust to settle before we start making judgement calls (which I’ve already made). Zack Snyder is taking some risks and I’m just hoping they pay off and he gives us something that we’ll love.
